Everton and Wolves Face Four-Man Blow as £7.7m Signing Still Waits for Debut

The fixture was originally scheduled for September 9 but was moved after UEFA Champions League scheduling created a clash involving Everton and Liverpool playing at home on the same day.

It now provides Wolves with their first opportunity to face a Premier League side since their relegation in May, while Everton will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2026/27 campaign.

David Moyes' side have not lost in five games across all competitions, although three successive draws have prevented them from building further momentum.

Wolves, meanwhile, have endured a mixed start to life back in the Championship but currently sit in the play-off places with a game in hand on most of their rivals.

However, both sides have selection concerns ahead of Wednesday's meeting.

Christian Nørgaard

Everton's new signing Christian Nørgaard is still waiting to make his debut after completing a move from Arsenal for around £7m.

The 32-year-old was part of Arsenal's squad during their Premier League title-winning campaign, although his importance to Brentford before that was much greater as he helped the Bees establish themselves in the top flight after promotion from the Championship.

Nørgaard has 129 Premier League appearances to his name, along with 11 goals and 13 assists.

Unfortunately for Everton supporters, they will have to wait a little longer to see their new midfielder in action.

Moyes confirmed ahead of Saturday's goalless draw with Tottenham that Nørgaard is not expected to return until after the international break at the earliest.

That rules him out of Wednesday's cup tie.

Merlin Röhl

Merlin Röhl is another Everton player who could miss the meeting.

The German has become a useful utility player since initially joining the Toffees on loan from Freiburg, before making his move permanent this summer.

Röhl has even been used at right-back as Moyes continues to look for a long-term successor to Seamus Coleman.

However, he missed the weekend's draw against Tottenham through injury.

The full extent of the problem is not clear, meaning Wednesday's game could arrive too soon for Röhl, particularly with Everton having little reason to take unnecessary risks in a cup tie.

Yerson Mosquera

Wolves could also be without Yerson Mosquera.

The Colombian defender suffered an ankle problem during the opening-day draw with Blackburn Rovers after starting the club's first two games of the season.

Wolves boss Cesar Peixoto indicated ahead of Sunday's victory over Sheffield United that some players had returned to individual training, but suggested it could still be too early for them to return to competitive action.

That puts Mosquera among those who may be kept out of the Everton clash.

Rafiki Said

The biggest concern for Wolves supporters may be the continued absence of Rafiki Said.

The winger arrived as one of the club's marquee summer signings for a reported £7.7m, but he has yet to make his Wolves debut after suffering an MCL injury during pre-season.

There is positive news, with Peixoto revealing that the 26-year-old is due to begin training involvement this week.

However, that is unlikely to mean an immediate return to competitive action.

Said is expected to be short of match fitness for Wednesday's trip to Everton, meaning Wolves will probably have to wait longer before seeing their major summer attacking addition in action.

The forward enjoyed an impressive campaign with Standard Liège last season, scoring eight goals and providing five assists.

Four players facing a wait

Wednesday's EFL Cup clash therefore looks set to arrive too soon for four players across the two squads.

Nørgaard is already ruled out until after the international break, while Röhl's injury makes his involvement doubtful.

For Wolves, Mosquera's return remains uncertain and Said is still working his way back from his MCL problem.

With a place in the next round at stake, both Moyes and Peixoto will have to balance their desire to progress with the need to avoid aggravating existing fitness concerns.

For Everton, the cup represents another opportunity to extend an unbeaten start.

For Wolves, meanwhile, it is a chance to measure themselves against Premier League opposition — but they may have to do it without their £7.7m summer statement signing.